RL BALLAGUY, EIB/EV 21/06/2012 1 The EIB contribution to European economic and social cohesion policy Ex-post evaluation of EIB lending in favour of economic.

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Presentation on theme: "RL BALLAGUY, EIB/EV 21/06/2012 1 The EIB contribution to European economic and social cohesion policy Ex-post evaluation of EIB lending in favour of economic."— Presentation transcript:

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RL BALLAGUY, EIB/EV 21/06/2012 1 The EIB contribution to European economic and social cohesion policy Ex-post evaluation of EIB lending in favour of economic and social cohesion in Portugal, the United Kingdom and France (12/2011) Operations Evaluation

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4 The EIB Group The European Investment Bank (EIB) EUs long-term lending bank Set up in 1958 by the Treaty of Rome Shareholders: 27 EU Member States The European Investment Fund (EIF) Established in 1994 Shareholders: EIB, EC, other EU financial institutions Main lines of business: VC and guarantees

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16/02/20147 Innovative Facilities with the European Commission RSFF – Risk-Sharing Finance Facility for higher-risk promoters JASPERS – Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions to prepare projects supported by EU Structural and Cohesion Funds JEREMIE – Joint European Resources for Micro-to-Medium Enterprises in the regions to encourage more business start-ups and new ventures. Managed by the EIF JESSICA – Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas for investment in sustainable urban development

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Scope of the evaluation Choice of the theme According to articles 3 and 309 of the current consolidated Treaty,the Bank has a commitment to contribute to the balanced and steady development of the internal market, granting loans to facilitate the financing of projects for developing less- developed regions and devoting the majority of its resources to the promotion of economic, social and territorial cohesion. Choice of the countries not recently covered by an evaluation of economic and social cohesion account for over EUR 40 bn of lending during the evaluation period After Germany and Spain, which were examined in 2007, the UK and Portugal represent two of the next four biggest recipients of EIB loans under economic and social cohesion 16/02/201410

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Methodology of the evaluation 6 steps followed: A general review of EU and EIB policies in relation to economic and social cohesion An analysis of the portfolio of 116 projects which have been financed under this priority between 2000 and 2009 The randomised selection of a representative sample of projects (23) with a preference given to projects co-financed by the ERDF or the Cohesion Fund Of the selected sample, 11 projects were either known to have been co-financed or were signalled at approval as intending to be co-financed (37.2% share of the sample by amount, EUR 1774m/ EUR 4766m). The undertaking of 23 in-depth evaluation reports (including site visits) The drafting of synthesis report Carried out by internal EV staff with the assistance of consultants Consultation of the operational departments of the Bank at the various stages 16/02/201411

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1. Economic and financial context Between 2000 and 2009 the EIB signed a total of EUR 475.7bn loans from its own resources in EU 27 During the same period, total signatures in France, Portugal and the UK totaled EUR 99.3bn (20.9%) Operations under the Banks economic and social cohesion priorities represented 40.4% of total loans signed in these three member states over the period (EUR 40.1bn out of 99.3bn) In relative terms: Cohesion lending in France has consistently been a lower proportion than in the UK In Portugal, overall lending has been lower, but with a much higher proportion of cohesion loans. 16/02/201414

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2. Evolution of lending in France, Portugal & the UK 16/02/201415 Sharp increase in lending after 2008 associated with the Banks response to the financial crisis. Cohesion lending in France and UK fell to negligible levels as they were not covered by the new Convergence lending priority to the same extent as Portugal

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3. EIB lending for economic and social cohesion compared to structural & cohesion funds during the period 2000-2006, total lending of EUR 171 bn for economic and social cohesion the total amount of structural and cohesion funds expenditures during the same period of EUR 185 bn of which EUR 162 bn related to Objective 1 and 2 areas (the remainder relating to Objective 3). In terms of volume of funds, the Banks support for economic and social cohesion was therefore as significant as that of the structural funds. 16/02/201416

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4. A purely geographical treatment of Cohesion through the Project Cycle Eligibility under economic and social cohesion lending priority is largely a question of geographic location: creating an economically productive project in a convergence or cohesion area was considered enough to contribute to European economic and social cohesion objectives. Many direct and indirect social and economic effects generated not considered at appraisal (and very few targets relating to cohesion fixed ex ante) The cohesion dimension seems to have been considered as a secondary dimension that represents an additional asset to a project Striking contrast between the rigorousness of the environmental compliance check and the partial consideration of economic and social cohesion issues However, the assessment of the environmental and social evaluation criterion has been uniformly positive, with around half the projects rated as excellent for environmental and social aspects 16/02/201417

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5. A good level of project and EIB performance The projects performed well under difficult operating conditions The EIBs presence found to have created a significant catalytic effect for other investors, a noticeable impact on stakeholders perception of the quality of the projects and the access to EU funds a strong message to the markets that the EIB was supporting the development of projects in the sector/region 16/02/201418

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6. A relatively weak physical monitoring and lack of coordination with the EC Physical monitoring carried out was weak with most projects having had less monitoring than expected Whilst the focus on monitoring has improved recently in the Bank, one example illustrates that there is still room for improvement: A maximum contribution of 90% EU assistance for each project is stipulated by EU regulations. However there does not appear to be any coordination between the Commission and the Bank to monitor compliance with this requirement. 16/02/201419

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1. A more sophisticated approach for cohesion To maximise cohesion effects and to focus on projects with greater potential impact Possible actors to be taken into consideration to ensure greater impact: the expected effects on direct and indirect job creation, the existence of a support programme alongside the project itself, the degree of social corporate responsibility of the promoter, the cost of project as a proportion of the local economy, the degree of consistency with EU funds Operational Programmes, etc. These types of criteria are key to foster local ownership and appropriation of the project, an thus maximise its chance to generate social benefits. Also a way for the Bank to promote good practice and to account more reliably for its value added with regards to economic and social cohesion. 16/02/201421

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2. Political, sector and economic risks to be more widely taken into consideration Greater consideration should be given to the cumulative risks associated with the political, sector and economic context of projects In particular in relation to infrastructures indirectly subsidised from the public purse, where the project can become vulnerable to changes in user charges in the longer term Cuts to subsidies may result in cost saving measures or increases in fares, tolls or other infrastructure charges, which then further impact on the project by reducing user numbers and consequently the anticipated benefits generated by the project 16/02/201422

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3. An enhanced monitoring The initial objectives of each operation should be systematically and precisely identified, quantified and then monitored. Specific, measurable and meaningful targets ex ante would ensure that the aims of the projects are clearly expressed and progress can be properly assessed. A more flexible and proactive approach to monitoring, based on evidence gathered, should be pursued, which allows for an increase when projects are delayed or information is not forthcoming, as well as a decrease when projects are progressing well. More stringent monitoring of the Banks operational thresholds is recommended (for example 50% loan threshold - maximum 90% EU assistance rule etc) throughout the project cycle. 16/02/201423

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4. A closer cooperation with the Commission In general there was no evidence of close coordination and cooperation between the EIB and the EC, although the EIB was occasionally aware of the promoters efforts to apply for subsidies, in no case was the Bank aware of the outcome The Bank should seek to incorporate the provision of grant status as part of an extended Article 19 process, placing an obligation on the Commission to inform the Bank at key stages of the application process There should be an ongoing process of discussion in relation to areas of common interest such as the monitoring of identified co-financed projects, the use of a common numerical codification to identify and monitor co- financed projects. A good start could be made by the use of identified project contact persons. 16/02/201424

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Some lessons learned for evaluators Interest of a medium long term perspective to assess the effects and impacts of projects Interest of having internal informal consultations on a continuous basis Good illustration of the existing tension within the Bank between policy driven principles and project-orientation and the difficulty of the EIB to address horizontal issues (beyond sector approach) Difficult balance between the necessity to foster ownership of recommendations and the need to be as operational as possible while formulating recommendations 16/02/201426